As automotive technology evolves, the integration of advanced smart-powered sensors both inside and outside vehicles are redefining safety, comfort, and health monitoring. Next-generation cameras, radar systems, and DMS updates are enabling unprecedented precision in hazard detection and prevention. The sensors installed within the vehicle for cabin monitoring are now also capable of measuring key vital signs. Inside the car, smart sensors work in tandem with distraction detection and driver monitoring system (DMS) systems to safeguard driver alertness and well-being. Passive fatigue (PF) during autonomous driving poses safety risks, especially in manual control transitions. To address this, we did a high-fidelity driving simulator study with 68 participants who tested countermeasures like mint oil, secondary tasks, and SmartLight (blue/red light linked to respiratory rate). PF was evaluated using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, ocular and cardiac data, and hazard reaction times. Preliminary results reveal physiological markers of PF preceding behavioral signs, with ongoing analysis to refine these findings. Combined with real-world studies involving over 200 participants, these insights aim to develop embedded systems that mitigate PF, ensuring safety and comfort during partially autonomous driving.

In this session you will learn more about:

• Which mental states do we need to monitor in a vehicle?
• How do in-car interior sensors track health help to guide automotive systems?
• How could we measure and remediate passive fatigue?